Harry Potter and the truckloads of heather

Movie bosses filming the latest Harry Potter blockbuster have been plundering truckloads of heather from Scotland. They have been slammed by conservation groups after ordering huge quantities for the English stage set of Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban.

In a move that would horrify everyone at Hogwarts, wild purple heather growing in Glencoe, Aviemore and Newtonmore is being ripped out, baled and driven 500 miles to Leavesden Studio in Hertfordshire. Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron renowned for his attention to detail insisted on authentic Highland heather. But Scottish heather has declined by a quarter since 1945 due to forestry, grazing and climate change.

One source said:

"They don't really know what to look for or how to cut it. Let's just say local Harry Potter enthusiasts are helping out."

"Heather is important for the landscape and without it red grouse would die out. It's ridiculous that JK Rowling was insisting on protecting foreign trees while movie bosses plundered our dwindling heather stocks."